A. Ensser

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Envelope T9I adaptation confers resistance to autophagy

The paper shows that the T9I mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 E protein confers autophagy resistance in Omicron variants, contributing to their spread.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) gB dictates a low-pH endocytotic entry pathway as revealed by a dual-fluorescent virus system and a rhesus monkey rhadinovirus expressing KSHV gB

This paper develops fluorescent KSHV strains and a hybrid RRV expressing KSHV gB to show low pH is required for KSHV membrane fusion during endocytosis.

Tim-1 and Tim-4 mediate entry of the human Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and the related rhesus monkey rhadinovirus

This paper identifies Tim-1 and Tim-4 as mediators of KSHV and RRV entry, showing their role in viral infection and highlighting their unique function compared to other herpesviruses.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus glycoprotein K8.1 is critical for infection in a cell-specific manner and functions at the attachment step on keratinocytes

This study shows K8.1 is critical for KSHV infection in epithelial cells but not in B cells, functioning at the attachment step.

ORF3c is expressed in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells and suppresses immune activation by inhibiting innate sensing

This study identifies ORF3c as an immune evasion factor of SARS-CoV-2 that suppresses innate sensing by inhibiting RIG-I and MDA5 signaling.

Role of spike in the pathogenic and antigenic behavior of SARS-CoV-2 BA.1Omicron

This study compares the pathogenicity and immune evasion of an Omicron S-bearing virus with natural Omicron, showing vaccine escape via S mutations but severe disease due to factors outside S.

SARS-CoV-2 variants show temperature-dependent enhanced polymerase activity in the upper respiratory tract and high transmissibility

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 variants with P323L or P323L/G671S mutations in NSP12 have enhanced polymerase activity at 33°C and higher transmissibility in ferrets.

Protective mucosal immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after heterologous systemic RNA-mucosal adenoviral vector immunization

This study shows that intranasal adenoviral vector boosts after mRNA priming enhance mucosal immunity and protection against SARS-CoV-2 in mice.

Spike mutation T403R allows bat coronavirus RaTG13 to use human ACE2

The paper shows that a single amino acid mutation in the Spike protein of bat coronavirus RaTG13 enables it to use human ACE2 for infection.

A pair of non-competing neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies protecting from disease in a SARS-CoV-2 infection model

The paper identifies two clusters of non-competing neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 that protect mice from infection and weight loss.

Herpesviral induction of germline transcription factor DUX4 is critical for viral gene expression

This study shows herpesviruses induce DUX4 expression, which drives viral gene expression by mimicking embryonic genome activation.

Plxdc family members are novel receptors for the rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV)

This study identifies Plxdc1/2 as novel receptors for RRV, distinguishing it from KSHV and highlighting a conserved N-terminal motif in RRV gH/gL.